The 3-11 April 2023 FIFA International Break has provided countries with an opportunity to finetune their sides ahead of the upcoming Women’s World Cup scheduled for Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August.
All 32 participants in the tournament – including the four African representatives, South Africa, Morocco, Nigeria and Zambia – will be in action around the globe as they finalise their squads and tactics before the start of competition in three months’ time.
The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana depart on Thursday evening (6 April 2023) for a date with Serbia on Monday, 10 April.
The South Africans will be without the ever-present defender Bambanani Mbane who withdrew from the travelling party due to a family emergency, along with forward Nthabiseng Majiya who is injured – and will have only 21 players available for selection against the Eastern Europeans.
Drawn in Group G in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Desiree Ellis and her technical team will have one eye on their opponents, Sweden, Italy and Argentina to check what they are up to.
First in action are the Argentinians who will be at home in back to back matches against fellow South Americans Venezuela.
Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba
Thursday, 6 April
Estadio Carlos Augusto Mercado Luna, La Rioja
Sunday, 9 April
The Swedes will host tricky fixtures when they face Denmark and 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup champions Norway.
Sweden
Eleda Stadion, Malmo
Friday, 7 April
Gamla Ullevi, Gothenborg
Tuesday, 11 April
The Italians will test their strength against South Americans, Colombia in Rome.
Italy
Stadio Tre Fontane, Rome
Tuesday, 11 April
World Cup debutants Zambia will make the long travel to the Far East where they will face the Korea Republic in two friendlies.
Zambia
Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon
Friday, 7 April
Yongin Mireu Stadium, Yongin
Tuesday, 11 April
Morocco have also secured two matches as part of preparations for their first ever appearance in a FIFA Women’s World Cup. The North Africans will take on Czechia and Romania in back to back encounters.
Morocco
Letni Stadion, Chomutov
Thursday, 6 April
Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
Tuesday, 11 April
The Nigerians will be Turkey to face FIFA Women’s World Cup first timers Haiti and also tackle tournament co-hosts New Zealand.
NIGERIA
Nigeria v Haiti
Emirhan Stadium Centre, Side
Thursday, 6 April
Mardan Sports Complex, Antalya
Tuesday, 11 April
The France vs Canada match will be the first for newly-appointed Herve Renard following the sacking of Corrine Diacre last month.
France
Stade Gabriel-Montpied, Clermont-Ferrand
Friday, 7 April
Stade Marie-Marvingt, Le Mans
Tuesday, 11 April
The reigning Women’s World Champions, USA, will entertain debutants the Republic of Ireland in two fixtures.
Republic of Ireland
Q2 Stadium, Austin
Saturday, 8 April
CITYPARK, St. Louis
Tuesday, 11 April
Some big name clashes will see England vs Brazil, Germany vs Brazil, Netherlands vs Germany, among others.
HERE ARE THE REST OF THE APRIL WOMEN’S FIXTURES:
Australia
Cherry Red Records Stadium, London
Friday, 7 April
Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford
Tuesday, 11 April
Brazil
England v Brazil
Wembley Stadium, London
Thursday, 6 April
Max-Morlock-Stadion, Nuremberg
Tuesday, 11 April
China PR
Swissporarena, Luzern, Switzerland
Thursday, 6 April
Palladium Can Misses, Ibiza
Tuesday, 11 April
Costa Rica
Wladyslaw Krol Municipal Stadium, Lodz
Thursday, 6 April
Hampden Park, Glasgow
Tuesday, 11 April
Denmark
Odense Stadion, Odense
Tuesday, 11 April
England
England v Brazil
Wembley Stadium, London
Thursday, 6 April
Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford
Tuesday, 11 April
Germany
Fortuna Sittard Stadion, Sittard, Netherlands
Friday, 7 April
Max-Morlock-Stadion, Nuremberg
Tuesday, 11 April
Haiti
Emirhan Stadium Centre, Side
Monday, 10 April
Jamaica
Jamaica v Guatemala
Date and venue to be confirmed
Japan
Estadio D. Afonso Henriques, Guimaraes
Friday, 7 April
Odense Stadion, Odense
Tuesday, 11 April
Netherlands
Fortuna Sittard Stadion, Sittard, Netherlands
Friday, 7 April
Sparta Stadion, Rotterdam
Tuesday, 11 April
New Zealand
Mardan Sports Complex, Antalya
Friday, 7 April
Norway
Palladium Can Misses, Ibiza
Thursday, 6 April
Panama
19:00 on Thursday, 6 April
Philippines
Philippines v Pakistan
Hisor Central Stadium, Hisor
Wednesday, 5 April
Tajikistan v Philippines
Hisor Central Stadium, Hisor
Saturday, 8 April
Philippines v Hong Kong
Hisor Central Stadium, Hisor
Tuesday, 11 April
Portugal
Estadio D. Afonso Henriques, Guimaraes
Friday, 7 April
Estadio D. Afonso Henriques, Guimaraes
Tuesday, 11 April
Spain
Palladium Can Misses, Ibiza
Thursday, 6 April
Palladium Can Misses, Ibiza
Tuesday, 11 April
Switzerland
Swissporarena, Luzern, Switzerland
Thursday, 6 April
Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland
Tuesday, 11 April
Vietnam
Nepal v Vietnam
Dasharath Rangasala, Kathmandu
Wednesday, 5 April
Vietnam v Nepal
Dasharath Rangasala, Kathmandu
Saturday, 8 April
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By Matlhomola Morake
